Real Empress from a Noble Family

He Shuijin loved hearing his lovely words. She said with a smile, “We are worried about how we can go back in this heavy raining day. Now as you are here, do you have any plan?”

“You can’t take the carriages because the road is flooded. We took a detour even on horse.” said he. Jiang Yashuang glanced at Qiu Yelan who was putting on her veil hat. He did not come forward to say hello to her as too many people were around. He said, “If the rain didn’t stop, we might live here for three days before we can go back home.”

“Ah, what can we do now?” Jiang Qizheng asked in a shock. “Do we have to live here for three more days?”

“My grandmother said that if the road was too dangerous to go, we could live in the farm nearby.” Jiang Yadan looked at Jiang Yaheng, who seemed to have something to say but he held it back. Then he added, “I had inquired our housekeeper before we started off. There is a farm four miles away. I have asked my men to go there, fetching sedans for you.”

Hearing his arrangement, girls relieved except Qiu Yelan and Qiu Jinzhu who were worried something else a lot.

Noticing they were concerned about something, He Shuijin asked Jiang Yaheng, “Before you guys came here, did you tell what’s going on here to our families?”

Jiang Yaheng said promptly, “Sorry, I forgot... I will send someone to go back for this.”

“Your man must go to each family, informing our parents and brothers about what’s going on here.” said He Shuijin. Then she introduced girls to him. Although most of the girls were more or less a relative of the Jiang Family, they were big girls now. And what’s more, Jiang Yadan, the dissolute man was also here, looking around. The girls had put on their veil hats to cover their faces. He Shuijin just introduced them briefly with family names and titles.

Hearing that the two Commandery Princesses from the Prince’s Mansion of Xihe were here, Jiang Yaheng glanced at the veils of Qiu Yelan and Qiu Jinzhu curiously. Then he twisted his eyes and ordered his man to inform their families immediately.

After that, Jiang Yaheng began to flirt with He Shuijin. While Jiang Qizheng asked Jiang Yadan and Jiang Yashuang what’s going on here on their way here, the rest kept silent... It’s getting dark and the sedans finally came in sight.

After arriving at the Jiang Family’s farm four miles away, it’s dark ultimately and continued raining like it was a few hours ago.

Fortunately, the farm had all necessities for the girls. As they were unmarried girls who hadn’t had many trivial things at home, they just sat around, chatting for a while. The subject was like the road was flooded and complained about the weather, and looked forward to going home, etc. Jiang Qizheng managed to make everyone comfortable. She asked everyone to take a bath, and then be ready for dinner.

Qiu Yelan went out of the bathroom with wet hair. The maids of the Jiang Family were waiting for her outside. Seeing her, one of the maids said, “Your Grace, the dinner is ready at the Flower Hall. Allow us to usher you there.”

“Thanks.” The dinner time had passed when they arrived at the farm. Being afraid of having cold, Jiang Qizheng suggested taking a bath first. Thus, Qiu Yelan was very hungry, although she had snacks along the way. Looking at her long-wet hair, she had no idea what to do. If she went to the Flower Hall after drying her hair, it would be later for dinner. But if she went there with wet hair, it would certainly be inappropriate.

The maid might notice her hesitation. She said, “Your Grace, you can go there with wet hair. I don’t think our lady has time to dry her hair either. Anyway, girls are the only ones in the Flower Hall. Young masters are in the front hall.”

Hearing her explanation, Qiu Yelan got reassured. She followed the maid to the hall and she did see Jiang Qizheng and others sitting in the hall with maids helping dry their hair.

“Yelan, welcome to join us. How are you?” Jiang Qizheng nodded to her. “Mi Yinyin got a cough and I have asked my maid to cook ginger soup for her.”

After hearing her words, Qiu Yelan looked around. Mi Yinyin was absent. She shook head and said, “I’m Okay. Thanks!” Qiu Yelan did not know Mi Yinyin a lot but she still gave her concern to her, “Is she all right?”

Jiang Qizheng sighed, “Hope she is fine. She has been weak since her childhood. Unfortunately, no doctor over here. I have cooked the ginger soup for her. I hope she will be better after drinking it.”

“I think we should send a man to get a doctor for her no matter it is raining or not tomorrow morning!” said Zhuang Man. She looked full of energy. “Her health status is just like her brother, the Duke of Puyang. I am afraid she may get severer over here...”

“Stop saying that!” He Shuijin interrupted, “We will get a doctor tomorrow morning. Don’t say more!”

“Oh, I mean, we should get a doctor!” Zhuang Man said.

“I will send a man to do it.” nodded Jiang Qizheng. Seeing her being tired, Qiu Yelan realized that she, as the host, must worry about all aspects of the activity. After they arrived at the farm safely, Mi Yinyin got sick unexpectedly. Jiang Qizheng must be distraught now despite her good temper.

She did not inquire more about Mi Yinyin as she did not know her well. So, she changed the subject, “What you said reminded me of Duchess of Huainan. I am wondering if they have been home already?”

“I guess they have left earlier. I did not see them when we were coming down.” said He Shuijin. “If they did not leave earlier, Duchess of Huainan and others must be in trouble in the heavy rain. I remember that Duke of Huainan doesn’t have a house nearby.”

“Hope they had been home already.” said Qiu Yelan.

The girls gossiped about the subject for a while. Seeing all girls except Mi Yinyin were here waiting for dinner, Jiang Qizheng ordered her maids to serve dinner.

After dinner, one maid ran into the hall while the girls were gargling, “Our men met the bodyguards of Duke of Huainan when they were on patrol duty outside. The carriages of Duchess of Huainan, Commandery Princess Lihui and Concubine Mo were flooded away by the rain. They are looking for help everywhere!”

“How did that happen?” all girls shrieked in fright. “Send as many as men to help them now!” said Jiang Qizheng promptly.

“Qizheng!” a man’s sound passed into the hall. It was Jiang Yaheng. He seemed in a hurry and ran into the yard without notice in advance. He did not enter the hall, “Duchess of Huainan, Concubine Mo and Commandery Princess Lihui are in water now. I’m afraid they are in big trouble. We have discussed that Yadan and I will go there with our men, and Yashuang will stay here... So, you and your brother will be in charge of everything here.”

He Shuijin was shocked and said, “But it’s late now...” She overturned the teacup by accident. Her maids immediately knelt, helping dust off water from her skirt.

Jiang Qizheng asked promptly, “Are you all right? Do you get burned?”

“No, thanks.” He Shuijin waved her hand and urged her, “Send your men over there. How can they go there personally? You go and stop them!”

Jiang Qizheng thought so too. She said in a low voice while she was walking in the corridor, “Why are you go there personally? It’s dark outside and it’s raining heavily. Ask your men to search for them along the river. I don’t think Duke of Huainan has a good relationship with our family!”

Jiang Yaheng echoed, “We won’t help. But Princess and Commandery Princess are in the water. Yadan said that if Princess and Commandery Princess lost their lives in the water and we did nothing, Chu Xiao might hate us because of the accident. Don’t worry. We will stay far away from the water and our men will search.”

Jiang Qizheng got reassured, “As Princess and Commandery Princess are ladies. I suggest you take some maids with you.”

“Yadan is rallying nannies.” said Jiang Yaheng seriously. His eyes went over her, looking around the hall quickly. He glanced at Qiu Yelan and said, “I am here to say hi to you. I’m leaving now.”

Jiang Qizheng noticed that he looked around the hall. She thought he was looking for He Shuijin. “You guys, be careful!” said she.

“Thanks. We will!” Jiang Yaheng went out of the yard with satisfaction. Jiang Yashuang stopped him immediately when he got out, “You saw her? Are you happy now?”

“Err...” Jiang Yaheng smiled guiltily. “Don’t say that, bro. We will leave in a minute. I came here to say hi to Qizheng.”

“Why did you go there personally? You just wanted to say hi? If so, you could send your man there.” questioned Jiang Yashuang coldly.

“I didn’t enter the Flower Hall.” said Jiang Yaheng, touching his nose awkwardly. “Qizheng went out and talked with me.”

“There are lighted candles in the Flower Hall. And no screen there. You can see all of them when you were standing in the yard.” continued Jiang Yashuang coldly. “Do you think I didn’t know what you are thinking?”

Jiang Yaheng felt helpless and said, “Okay, bro. It’s not like what you think. I am just curious as to what kind of girl has gotten to you!”

“What kind of girl she is it’s none of your business!” said Jiang Yashuang seriously.

“You saw my girlfriend frequently also!” said Jiang Yaheng. He tried to get himself out of it. “But I did not complain!”

Jiang Yashuang stared at him for a while and said coldly, “Is it? I am wondering Shuijin’s reaction if she heard what you said.”

Jiang Yaheng’s face turned to be pale, “Bro, we are family members, bro!”

“You did not think we were family members when you peeped my girlfriend.” said Jiang Yashuang coldly.

“Don’t take it seriously!” Jiang Yaheng felt awkward. “I am not the man you are thinking. I never flirted with my brother’s girlfriends before. I am just curious! All right. It’s Jiang Qisheng who told me about her before I came here. I thought I must have a look at her as I am here.”

Jiang Qizheng kicked Jiang Qiyun and Jiang Qisheng out of the enclosure. The reason Jiang Qiyun said was Madame Dou asked her to go home, and the reason Jiang Qisheng said was that she hurt her ankle. Thus, Jiang Qiyun had been to the town; On the other hand, Jiang Qisheng thought that after she kicked He Shuijin out, Jiang Qizheng must be defeated finally. If so, Jiang Qizheng would go home awkwardly. But unexpectedly, Qiu Yelan suggested the “Best of three” game. Jiang Qisheng felt insulted. So, she went home after Gu E’nuo left.

Hearing that Jiang Qisheng said something about Qiu Yelan, Jiang Yashuang asked with a frown, “What did she say?”

“You know her better than me. She has been a good friend of Cousin Tao since childhood. She doesn’t like your girlfriend.” Although Jiang Yaheng and Jiang Qisheng are brother and sister, he could sell her sister out for helping him out of the trouble. He said, “She told me that your girlfriend gains you by her beauty. You always take her side. Even Jiang Qizheng flatters her and criticizes her sisters because of her... But you don’t worry about her words as grandma and mother brushed aside them. Mother even lashed out at her, telling her to take care of family members more instead of Cousin Tao who now, seems to be more important than brothers.”

“Okay, noted.” said Jiang Yashuang seriously after a pause.

Jiang Yaheng smiled at him, “So... can I leave now? About the thing tonight... you forget it, okay?”

“Go.” said Jiang Yashuang, waving to him.

Jiang Yaheng felt relieved, turning back and running off.

After a minute, he thought there must be something wrong with Jiang Yashuang. He worried about him and went back to see what’s going on.

Plainly enough, he heard Jiang Yashuang’s naive sound through the wall. He was talking with He Shuijin, “Shuijin, can you, please, lend me some money?”

He Shuijin replied curiously, “What do you want to do with the money? I heard that you always borrow your money to your brothers, right?”

“Jiang Yaheng borrowed money from me. He told me that he wanted to buy a present for his friend’s birthday. He borrowed all my money. You know, my grandmother’s birthday is drawing near. I also want to buy a present for her. So...”

“Okay, I see!” From what Jiang Yaheng knew of He Shuijin, she, as his girlfriend and cousin, must be furious in her heart. “His fair-weather friend needed so much money for a birthday? He must use it for courting another girl. Thank you, Yashuang. I know you are a good boy. Here are five hundred taels of silver note. You take it and no need to repay. I will give you more after we are home. Remember, as soon as Jiang Yaheng borrows money from you, you tell me! I will give you double he borrows from you!!!”

Jiang Yashuang sighed hypocritically, “Actually, Jiang Yaheng loves you in his heart. But he always can’t control himself...”

“I know he always can’t control himself!” said He Shuijin angrily. “So, I will be his controller! Yashuang, you are a good boy. Don’t worry. I won’t sell you out when I teach him a lesson. I won’t put you on the spot!”

“!!!” Jiang Yaheng froze for a while. Looking at the moss-covered courtyard wall in front of me, he suddenly had the urge to crash into it.